A Long Island dwarf, “standing tall” for her rights, filed a $20 million lawsuit against two apartment landlords because they refused to lower the light switches and cabinets – and barred her from keeping a “companion” pooch.

Barbara Escheverria, a 57-year-old unemployed customer service representative who calls herself “vertically challenged,” said Rascal, a 9-year-old miniature terrier, is her best friend and helps her deal with the stress of medical problems.

“I do need him. My husband has passed. He’s my emotional support now. This is my family,” she said, gesturing to her pet at her feet during a press conference yesterday in Mineola.

“It’s demeaning,” she said of her treatment by landlords. “All I want to do is live my life.”

Escheverria said she was suing Babylon Park Center in Deer Park and Krystie Manor in Amityville to end discrimination for others.

Her lawyer, Fred Brewington, said the dog “has been prescribed” by her doctor. However, he did not produce documentation.

“She said this is not a pet,'” said Brewington. One of the landlords “said ‘no way, you can’t have it – sue us,’ and guess what? Here she is. They made this woman homeless.”

“She’s going to stand tall for the rights of the abused,” said Brewington, who filed the federal housing-discrimination lawsuit. The suit also claims breach of contract.

But Jeff Siler, the lawyer for Edith Shapiro – the 83-year-old widow who owns Babylon Park Center – scoffed at the court action.

Siler said Shapiro agreed to pay for virtually all of Escheverria’s remodeling demands, but “a huge percentage of the tenants signed affidavits saying they did not want a pet in the facility. Edith had a problem.”

“To say she refused a medical dog is just an outrageous lie,” said Siler.

Escheverria’s demands included replacing door knobs with handles, lowering of light switches and closet racks, a front-loading clothes dryer and her own parking space.